Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2002/ia/paper-2/1d/solution

The characteristic equation of the homogeneous linear differential equation is , giving the homogeneous solution . For the first forcing, a particular solution of the form gives , so
The initial conditions impose and , whence , . Thus the first solution is
For the second forcing, is already a homogeneous solution, so the usual exponential trial must be multiplied by . Substitution of the particular solution gives , hence . Now , and the initial conditions give , . Therefore the resonant solution is
The additional factor reflects resonance in a differential equation.

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